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Effects of β-Glucan from Paenibacillus polymyxa and L-theanine on Growth Performance and Immunomodulation in Weanling Piglets |
Y. H. Hwang, B. K. Park, J. H. Lim, M. S. Kim, I. B. Song, S. C. Park, H. K. Jung, J. H. Hong, H. I. Yun* |
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Correspondence:
H. I. Yun, |
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Abstract |
Forty weanling piglets (5.60.5 kg and 26 to 30 d of age) were used in a 28-d experiment to determine the effects of -glucan from Paenibacillus polymyxa and L-theanine on growth performance. Piglets were randomly allotted to four groups (n = 10, 2 animals per pen) provided with the basal feed (control), -glucan 400 mg/kg feed, L-theanine 80 mg/kg feed or -glucan plus l-theanine (combination of the above-mentioned concentrations). Body weight and feed consumption were recorded during four weeks. Subsequently, the immunomodulatory effects of -glucan and L-theanine were investigated for lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced cytokine production in vitro and in vivo on day 28. Although there were no significant differences in the growth performances among the treatment groups, -glucan plus L-theanine had 5.6% greater ADG (p = 0.074) on day 21 to 28. -Glucan alone or plus L-theanine increased interleukin (IL)-10 levels and decreased interferon (IFN)- and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- levels in cultured medium by LPS treatment (p<0.05). Plasma IL-10 levels were also increased in the piglets fed with -glucan alone or plus L-theanine after LPS challenge (25 g/kg, i.p.), whereas plasma IFN- and TNF- levels were decreased (p<0.05). The levels of IFN- in piglets fed with -glucan plus L-theanine showed the greatest inhibition after LPS challenges. In conclusion, treatment of -glucan alone or plus L-theanine might lessen inflammatory responses against Gram-negative bacterial infection via the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production and enhancement of anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Further studies are needed to determine an optimal concentration of -glucan and L-theanine for improved growth performance. |
Keywords:
b-Glucan; L-theanine; Piglets; Lipopolysaccharide; Cytokine |
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